Nick Diaz after losing to Anderson Silva at UFC 183.

NICK Diaz is in hot water with USADA again, having still not fought since emerging from a drug ban.

The controversial UFC star has been provisionally suspended and faces another ban after being sanctioned over three “whereabouts failures” for random drug testing in the past 12 months, according to a UFC statement.

Per UFC policy, the 33-year-old could face a ban of between six months and two years as a first-time offender.

“Diaz, like all other UFC athletes, is enrolled in USADA’s UFC Registered Testing Pool and required to file accurate Whereabouts information in order to be located for out-of-competition, no-notice testing,” the UFC statement said.

“USADA, the independent administrator of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, will handle the results management and appropriate adjudication of Diaz’s case, who has been provisionally suspended pending the final resolution of this matter. Under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, there is a full and fair legal process that is afforded to all athletes before any sanctions are imposed.”

Nick Diaz and Anderson Silva fight at UFC 183.

As a UFC athlete, Diaz is required to notify USADA of his daily whereabouts three months in advance, in order to be available for random anti-doping controls.Diaz can challenge any or all of the whereabouts failures and has the right to a hearing.

The former Strikeforce welterweight champion has been eligible to fight again since August last year but remains inactive, having not agreed to any UFC match-ups.

He was banned for five years by the Nevada Athletic Commission after testing positive to marijuana during the period around his fight against Anderson Silva in January 2015, though the suspension was reduced to 18 months.

The fight was declared a no contest after Silva (the winner) also tested positive to drugs.